Rafa Leao: Man Utd and Chelsea won’t pay €100m now

Carlo Garganese

• 6 Mar 2023 06:12 CST
• 3 min read

If Rafa Leao wants to earn a lucrative new contract at AC Milan or a big-money transfer abroad, he is going the wrong way about it.

The Portuguese star has been in exhausting contract negotiations with Milan for months amidst interest from a host of Europe’s biggest clubs, particularly Manchester United and Chelsea.

However, the 23-year-old has seen his form plummet in 2023 - raising even more question marks about his future and his worth.

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The attacker has now gone 11 games without scoring in all competitions. His last goal came over two months ago on January 14 during a 2-2 draw away at Lecce in Serie A.

Since then, Leao has also managed only one assist.

Leao’s poor form in 2023

Leao’s performances have been just as bad as his numbers. He has offered little attacking threat but has also cut a frustrated figure.

The attacker’s workrate has been poor and he has looked lethargic. His body language has painted the picture of someone who looks unhappy.

Of course, Leao has a lot of credit built up in the bank after being the Serie A Player of the Year last season as Milan won their first Scudetto in 11 years. He scored 11 goals and assisted 10 and was unstoppable in Milan’s title run-in.

But things have gone off-track this season for both player and club. Milan are in the quarter-finals of the Champions League but they are fighting tooth and nail just to finish in the top four in Serie A.

Like Leao, Milan’s form has been abysmal in 2023.

Milan continue to negotiate a new contract with Leao but, given his poor form, is he really worth the €8-9 million per season he is asking for?

And why should, as requested by Leao, Milan pay his former club Sporting Lisbon the €19.5m Leao he owes them over breach of contract?

Both of these issues have complicated contract renewal talks this season and will do even more now given Leao’s form.

Milan will sell Leao this summer if he doesn’t sign a renewal by then, given his contract expires in 2024.

But will Man Utd, Chelsea or anyone pay Milan’s €100m asking price having watched Leao in 2023?